Stuffed animal

ABSTRACT

A stuffed animal toy configured to replicate a peccary, which includes a small battery-powered motor within its body, a twistable snout on the face of the toy, covered in a soft, fur-like material, with moveable legs, and a pair of laser lights located on the soles of the rear hooves.  
     The moveable legs of the stuffed animal toy would allow it to move and walk freely, including doing handstands, emitting a stream of laser type light from its hind lights, or rear hooves, when its snout would be turned. When the stuffed animal toy&#39;s snout is rotated ninety degrees, its hind legs would raise and emit a stream of laser type light. The stuffed animal toy features a small battery-powered motor that would control the toy&#39;s movements and leg functions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/199195, filed Apr. 24, 2000.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention relates, generally to a stuffed animal children's toy, and specifically to a stuffed animal children's toy shaped like a peccary which provides various actions and emits laser-like light streams from its appendages.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] Stuffed animals are fun and entertaining toys for children of all ages. Stuffed animal toys can also be educational, by developing a child's creativity and imagination. There is a need to educate people regarding the peccary and to promote a kinder and gentler perception of this animal. The peccary is a mammal native to America's Southwest, and is closely related to the swine family. Traditionally, the peccary has been regarded as a vicious animal. This negative perception can be changed by introducing children to the peccary via a soft, cuddly, interactive stuffed animal toy.

[0006] A stuffed animal in the shape of a peccary with the novel combination of features described herein is believed to be unknown in the art. There are no stuffed animal toys in the art that contain the novel features of the present invention. Stuffed toys which have mechanized limbs are well known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,216, which discloses a toy equipped with mechanized limbs. Stuffed toys equipped with light emitting components are also found in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,074, which discloses a resilient, animal-shaped toy whose eyes have light bulbs or LED devices. See also, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,965, which discloses a stuffed toy which is provided with a spaced array of lights on its outer surface.

[0007] While the aforementioned and described prior art devices have provided some increased entertainment and amusement value and have, in some instances, enjoyed commercial success, there remains a continuing need in the art for improved and interesting stuffed animals that provide educational fun to children of all ages.

SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention is that of a newly designed stuffed animal children's toy. The present invention would be shaped like a peccary, comprising a small battery-powered motor, a twistable snout on the face of the peccary, a pair of laser lights on the soles of the rear feet of the peccary, and covered entirely by a soft, fur-like material.

[0009] Objects and Advantages

[0010] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0011] (a) to provide entertainment for children of all ages;

[0012] (b) to help develop a child's imagination and creativity;

[0013] (c) to improve the image of the peccary by making it appear cute and cuddly;

[0014] (d) to provide a cost-effective toy that is easy to clean, easy to set up, and safe and convenient to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

[0015] In the drawing, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention, which is a stuffed animal toy shaped like a peccary. The novel features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the claims herein.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWING

[0016]10 snout rotates 90° to turn lights on

[0017]12 soft plush material

[0018]14 moveable legs

[0019]16 rear hooves with lights

[0020]18 hind legs which kick up and release lights

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The present invention has a snout 10 that rotates 90° to turn on the lights located on the rear hoofs 16 when the hind legs 18 kick up. All four legs 14 of the present invention are moveable. The present invention is covered with a soft plush material 12.

[0022] The moveable legs 14 of the present invention would allow the present invention to move and walk freely, including doing handstands, emitting a stream of laser type lights from its hind legs 18 when its snout 10 would be turned. When the animal's snout 10 is turned ninety degrees, the hind legs 18 of the animal would raise and emit a stream of laser type light. The present invention features a small battery-powered motor that would control the toy's movements and leg functions.

[0023] The present invention would be fabricated from plastic, fabric material 12 and various commercially available electrical components. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention could be designed so that the tail of the present invention would be used to control the light functions, with the light possibly emitting from the snout 10 on the face. Currently, there are no stuffed animal toys shaped like peccaries known to me that have the aforementioned features.

[0024] Operation—FIG. 1

[0025] In use, the present invention would function as a standard type stuffed animal with the added benefit of a child being able to activate the animal's laser lights by turning its snout. This rotation of the animal's snout would cause the animal's hind legs to raise and laser beams to emit from its rear hooves. The present invention would be appropriate for children of all ages as an interactive toy that would help develop the child's imagination and creativity.

[0026] Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

[0027] The reader will see that the peccary shape of the present invention with its moveable legs, snout and light-releasing features from its rear hooves provides its users with hours of entertainment. In addition, its durable, yet soft cuddly exterior make it safe for children of all ages, while developing their imagination and creativity. The present invention also provides educational value to its users.

[0028] While my description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limitation on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the stuffed animal could have stripes or spots, a moveable tail, or be covered in various materials. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A stuffed animal toy comprising a body in the shape of a peccary having protruding, moveable appendages, and a battery-powered light system.
 2. A toy as set forth in claim 1 in which the light system is positioned to emit streams of laser type lights outward from rear hooves or a tail.
 3. A toy as set forth in claim 2 which further comprises a twistable snout.
 4. A toy as set forth in claim 3 comprising of rear hooves which emit laser lights when the snout is twisted.
 5. A toy as set forth in claim 3 comprising a rear hooves which emit laser lights when the tail is manipulated.
 6. A toy as set forth in claims 4 and 5 comprising legs which support the stuffed animal toy in a handstand position while the rear hooves kick up.
 7. A toy as set forth in claim 6 in which the body is covered with a soft, plush, cleanable material. 